Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls, plywood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Weerona House

Demardi.

Photo of a modern open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis Interior Design

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Chelsea 1 bedroom apartment New york Final images

Fernando Ferraz Interiors

Design ideas for a small transitional dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

Seeley Dining Room

Michael Abrams Interiors

This is an example of a traditional dining room in Chicago with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Dining Room

Swati Goorha Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic separate dining room in New York with purple walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Chamblee Mid Century Modern

Susie Mae Design

Photo of a midcentury dining room in Atlanta with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Aquaris Display Home

McCarthy Homes QLD

Steve Ryan
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Gold Coast - Tweed with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and brown walls.

Dining Rooms

Benjamin Moore

(Wall): Black Ink 2127-20, Aura Eggshell (Trim): Chantilly Lace OC-65 Aura Semi-Gloss (Ceiling): Black Ink 2127-20, Aura Interior Matte
Traditional dining room in New York with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black walls.

Louisa's Co-Op

Residents Understood

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in DC Metro with green walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Hinkley Lighting

Kendall Lighting Center

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Kensington Townhouse

Boldfort

Design ideas for a contemporary separate dining room in London with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Greenwich Mid-Century Residence

Douglas Graneto Design

Inspiration for a large transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Presidio Heights Residence

Charlie Barnett Associates

Photography by Werner Straube
Photo of a traditional dining room in San Francisco with brown floor.

1840 Greek Revival

Twelve Chairs Interiors

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Столовая

Дизайн-бюро Татьяны Алениной

Design ideas for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Moscow with green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Buffet

R|House Design Build

Dining room
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Minneapolis with white walls, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Light and Dark

Debra DeLorenzo Interiors - One Ranfurly Ltd

Simple but elegant. Great attention to detail.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional kitchen/dining combo in Wellington with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Brighton Seaside Escape

Susan Venn Design

This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Laurelhurst

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Seattle with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Black Dining Room Design Ideas with Brown Floor

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!